Following demolition notices in Muslim-dominated Batla House and Khijrabad localities, DDA orders residents to vacate the area by July 17
NEW DELHI — Fear and uncertainty have gripped the residents of Joga Bai slums in the Jamia Nagar area of South East Delhi as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) issued eviction notices on Wednesday (July 9). The move follows recent similar notices pasted in other Muslim-majority localities such as Batla House and Khijrabad, increasing concerns over forced evictions in the capital.
The DDA’s notice, prominently displayed outside the Joga Bai slums, orders the residents to vacate the area by 17 July. The notice warns that failure to comply will result in forcible eviction by authorities. This announcement has unsettled many families who already live in precarious conditions, working mainly as daily wage labourers, rickshaw pullers, and domestic helpers.
One resident, Abdul Rahman, expressed his distress, saying, “We have no other place to go. This is our home. We work hard every day, but if we lose our shelter, where will our families stay? We are very worried.”
The latest eviction notice comes amid a series of similar actions by the DDA targeting slum areas in predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods in Jamia Nagar.
Shabana Begum, a domestic worker living in Joga Bai, told Clarion India, “We heard about the notices in Batla House and Khijrabad and hoped it would not come here. Now that it has, everyone is scared. Many of us do not have savings or other homes. It feels like our future is being taken away.”
The DDA has justified the notices by stating the encroachments in these areas violate urban planning rules and that the land is earmarked for development projects. However, critics argue that the demolitions are being carried out without providing alternative housing or rehabilitation, leaving vulnerable families at risk.
A senior local activist, Mohammad Imran, criticised the approach, saying, “Forcing people out without any support will only increase their hardship. These communities contribute to the city’s economy and deserve dignity and security, not fear and eviction notices.”
The government’s stance on slum demolitions has raised questions about the balance between urban development and human rights. Many affected residents say they have lived in these neighbourhoods for decades and have limited options due to poverty and a lack of affordable housing.
Local authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment on whether any rehabilitation plans are in place for the residents of Joga Bai. Meanwhile, community leaders are urging officials to engage with the slum dwellers and consider more humane solutions.
Fahim Khan, a rickshaw puller and father of three, voiced the common concern, “We work honestly to earn a living in grace. But the notice makes us feel like criminals. We want to live with respect, not fear.”
As the 17 July deadline approaches, anxiety continues to grow among Joga Bai’s residents. Many have started packing their belongings, unsure whether they will be able to find a new shelter or face displacement on the streets.
This situation reflects a wider challenge faced by the capital, where thousands of low-income families live in informal settlements, vulnerable to eviction and with little access to official housing schemes.
Community groups and human rights organisations are calling on the Delhi government to halt demolitions and provide a clear plan for protecting the rights and homes of these communities.
In the words of local activist Imran, “Cities should be places where everyone has a right to shelter and security. We urge the authorities to rethink these notices and find solutions that do not destroy lives.”
